Data inflation.

We are being asked to rate ourselves and rate the group we do planning with. I rated myself - about 70% because I know where we could do better. I am not perfect and I see my flaws.

A group I know that is very dysfunctional rated itself in the 80s. I would have rated them in the 50s-60s.

I probably underrate myself. I hate this part of any evaluation - I rate myself in a way that seems fair. Others overrate themselves - and then I look bad.

And there is no feedback.

Words they cannot read

I was the adult in the room and had to help some high school students with vocabulary on an activity they were doing. They could not read (or know the definition of) fatigue, nausea, meningitis, drowsy, dyslexia.

Gotta Love Silver Linings

I was walking through the halls and a former student called my name. I stopped and she proudly showed me her t-shirt: I am surrounded by idiots. I knew you'd love this she said (and I did!). We laughed, hugged - and that was so totally worth it!

I wrote a long gripe

I wrote a long gripe yesterday - completely dissatisfied with teaching. I taught a lesson in a way I don't normally - but it was introducing a topic completely foreign to the kids. Of course, I was observed and of course it was a long lecture giving a huge overview of what was coming. And of course the observers hated it.

The kids didn't.

The ones who have had me before thanked me for doing it that way and putting the new vocabulary in context. They knew I would guide them through understanding. And they trust me.

I don't know how to prepare a lesson (I have 4 preps) to teach the topic to a wide range of students (in both ability and interest) and then be able to switch to a dog and pony show because an admin with a PE degree (who sends an email to the entire county with a noun instead of a verb) cannot grasp the level of math the state says all students must learn.

"If I don't understand it, the students don't understand it."

You undervalue them and think I have to dumb it down more. I think they have the ability to reach a higher rung if it is offered to them.

So, my big question this week is how do I learn to switch gears when they walk in and give the admins a dog and pony show so I can go back to teaching when they leave?

Oh, and I am tired of the disrespect from admins, peers, students. I find - once again - that I start to email a life preserver to someone, say chuck it, and delete the email. I have a mental list of seniors who are going to need recommendations and I find I am mentally crossing names off every day. I love some of them. I wouldn't give you 2 cents for the rest of them.

Six Word Saturday

Looking forward to better times ahead.


For more Six Word Saturday participants, click here.

Crappy week. Let's leave it at that.

Can't help you if you don't want it

Shaking my head.

About 20% of the senior class is missing a graduation test that would allow them to graduate in 7 months. A fair percentage of those are in math.

There are only two more opportunities to take (and pass) the test before graduation.

We were running workshops to help them cram for the next round of tests. It is free - they just have to come.

Less than a handful showed up.

Twenty three years

Twenty three years ago I lost you. My favorite time of year was no longer the same.

I don't think about you every day anymore - but I still think about you often and wonder who you would have been if you had been allowed to stay.